Former star batter of West Indies national team Marlon Samuels has been handed a six-year ban from all cricket activities, the International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed in a press note.
The decision was taken by an independent anti-corruption tribunal, which found Samuels guilty of multiple breaches of the Emirates Cricket Board's (ECB) anti-corruption code, reports AP.
The charges against Samuels were brought forth by the ICC in its role as the Designated Anti-Corruption Official under the ECB Code. The tribunal, in its judgement in August this year, unanimously declared Samuels guilty of four offences.
Among these, Article 2.4.2 saw a majority decision against Samuels for failing to disclose the receipt of any gift, payment, hospitality, or other benefits that could tarnish the participant or the sport's reputation.
Another unanimous decision under Article 2.4.3 implicated Samuels for neglecting to disclose hospitality exceeding the value of US $750.
The tribunal also found Samuels in violation of Articles 2.4.6 and 2.4.7 with unanimous decisions. The former charges him with failing to cooperate with the designated anti-corruption official's investigation, while the latter accuses him of obstructing or delaying the same investigation by concealing pertinent information.
The six-year ban, effective as of November 11, 2023, marks a stern response to Samuels' actions. Alex Marshall, the ICC General Manager for Human Resources and the Integrity Unit, emphasised the severity of the penalty.
“Samuels played international cricket for close to two decades, during which he participated in numerous anti-corruption sessions and knew exactly what his obligations were under the Anti-Corruption Codes,” stated Marshall.
“Though he is retired now, Mr. Samuels was a participant when the offences were committed. The six-year ban will act as a strong deterrent to any participant who intends to break the rules,” he added.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
